Samuel’s manner changed in an instant, his playfulness disappearing. It sent a chill crawling down her spine. He never concealed the danger of their experiments or the toll alchemy would take on her body. He had been clear with her from the beginning, but the payoff was worth her struggle. Her muscles twitched, anticipating the work. She loved the exhaustion in her bones after they worked, the effort invigorating her like swimming. She needed the ache in her body to tell her she’d pushed herself far enough; that she wasn’t holding back. If that was child’s play, what would she be able to accomplish here? She had to answer that question.

“I can tolerate pain, and I want to try.” She confirmed, her mouth going dry. She didn’t know enough to calculate her risk. She wasn’t certain it would be wise for her to know. It was better to embrace this opportunity, trust her instincts, and make the attempt. Thinking this through would have her backing down until she could strategize. He wouldn’t allow her to dive too deeply on her own; she trusted that. “If you’re willing to show me, I can take it.” She committed to trying and felt a rush of anticipation as her head and heart made peace with this plan. Watching him for some indication, Themis allowed herself to acknowledge that making him proud of her was more than a sliver of her motivation. She had something to prove to them both. Perhaps, if she could endure blood magic, their inevitable separation would seem less dire. Kissing him gently, once, twice she met his eyes. “Show me, Sam.”

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